Am I eligible for SNAP?

Click on www.gettingsnap.org/canigetsnap.html to find out if you are eligible.

You can also call the Project Bread hotline and they will help you figure out if you are eligible and help you with the application. 1-800-645-8333 from 8 AM-7 PM Monday-Friday and 10-2 on Saturday.

What if I need food right away?  Can I get emergency help?

Yes, if you need food right away, you can apply for emergency SNAP/Food Stamps.  If you apply for emergency Food Stamps, you will get SNAP in seven days.  If you need food before then, there are free meals in Malden and surrounding communities almost every day of the week.   Check out the listing at the top of the Food Resources page.

To be eligible for emergency SNAP, you must:

• Have $100 or less in cash and savings and earned less than $150 this month  OR
• Your monthly income is less than your rent/mortgage plus utilities (cost of heat, electricity) and your savings

How do I apply for SNAP and what happens after I send in my application?

There are 3 steps to applying for SNAP/Food Stamps.

1. Submit an application

You can go to the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) office at 200 Pleasant Street, Malden City Hall and fill out an application.  The office must take the application the day you fill it out and sign it.

You can also submit an application online, mail an application to the Department of Transitional Assistance or fax an application to the DTA office.   To get an application form or to submit online, click here. 

Sometimes, SNAP applications are processed more quickly if you fill out an application in person at the local office, so, if you need emergency SNAP, you should apply in person at Malden City Hall.

If you need help filling out an application, you can call the Project Bread Hotline 1-800-645-8333 from 8 AM-7 PM Monday-Friday and 10-2 on Saturday.

2. Gather verifications and give them to your DTA case manager (DTA will assign you a SNAP case manager when you apply).

After you apply, the DTA office will give or send you piece of paper with a list of verifications you must gather and give to your caseworker within 30 days.  You need to provide:

1.       A document with your name and address

2.      Social security numbers for everybody in your family

3.      Proof of your income over the last 4 weeks

4.      Information showing that you are a citizen or a legal non-citizen

 You will get more SNAP benefits if you can provide information that shows how much you spend on:

• child care
• rent, mortgage and utilities
• medical expenses (if you are over 60 or disabled)
• payments you make to another household for child support

3. Interview

DTA will call you for a phone interview.  Sometimes, they will ask you to come into the office but in most cases, they will arrange a short interview over the phone.

How much SNAP assistance can I get?

The amount depends on the size of your household and your income.